Finally, good news for Afghan refugees returning to their homeland following deportation orders by the Pakistani government, Torkham border crossing between in Khyber District was reopened on Saturday to facilitate their return. The refugees obtaining tokens from the holding camp at Landi Kotal will be able to cross over into Afghanistan. However, the border officials said that passengers and traders would not be allowed to cross the border.

The border crossing had been closed 20 days ago following clashes between both countries.Besides Torkham, Pakistan had also sealed its border crossing at Chaman due to which the refugees returning to Afghanistan left stranded. Two days ago, Pakistan and Afghanistan had agreed to extend a temporary ceasefire and will hold another round of peace talks in Istanbul next week. The talks, set for November 6, follow the worst clashes between the South Asian neighbours since the Taliban returned to power in 2021.

Until Turkey and Qatar mediated a ceasefire, more than 70 people were killed. "All parties have agreed on continuation of ceasefire," Turkey's foreign ministry said in a statement late on Thursday, adding that a monitoring mechanism would be established to ensure peace and penalise the violating party. The two sides had been holding talks in Istanbul under Turkish and Qatari mediation until Islamabad said Wednesday that the negotiations had collapsed.

The following evening, Turkey announced that the warring parties had agreed to extend the truce.Afghan Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said Friday the talks concluded with "agreement that both sides will meet again and discuss the remaining issues".

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)